An independent review of the performance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has confirmed that the agency, which serves as a lifeline for many Palestinians, adheres to the principle of neutrality in its humanitarian operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, debunking claims by the Israeli entity which sought to terminate the agency’s work.
At a press conference at the United Nations headquarters, former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who chaired the committee, said, “UNRWA plays an irreplaceable and indispensable role in the region,” adding that “in the absence of a political solution, UNRWA provides life-saving humanitarian aid and essential services to the population, playing a vital role in the humanitarian response in Gaza.”
Colonna highlighted the mechanisms and measures UNRWA has put in place to ensure its commitment to the principle of neutrality and expressed confidence that their implementation would help UNRWA fulfill its mandate.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his acceptance of the recommendations in the report and agreed with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini that, with support from the Secretary-General, UNRWA would develop an action plan to implement the recommendations in the final report titled "Independent Review of the Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure UNRWA's Commitment to the Principle of Humanitarian Neutrality."
Lazzarini welcomed the findings and recommendations of the independent review group regarding the agency's commitment to the humanitarian principle of neutrality and affirmed the agency’s firm commitment to applying UN values and humanitarian principles.
Lazzarini stated, “Maintaining the agency’s neutrality is essential for our ability to continue saving lives and contributing to the human development of Palestinian refugees in Gaza amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, as well as in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.”
Guterres had previously appointed an independent group to review the agency’s operations in response to a request from UNRWA, in consultation with Commissioner-General Lazzarini.
The group was led by Catherine Colonna and included three research organizations: the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Michelsen Institute in Norway, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
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